Join us on our journey of the canals and rivers of Britain's inland waterways.

Saturday, 27 April 2013

Chadkirk Chapel

Sunrise at 07:40 after a very hard frost followed this morning by sun and heavy showers

We decided rain or shine we’d walk so we went down the towpath to Hyde Bank Tunnel and over the top, following the towpath for a mile or so before turning back. We found a path going into woodland at the north portal of the tunnel and turned onto it.

Near the end of the path we could see an interesting building and what looked like information boards suggested that it was open to the public.

On the other side is this unusual building and looks new.

Chadkirk Chapel in a beautiful woodland setting

There must be a local sculptor - just look at that woodpecker in the distance ...

… and that fantastic seat ...

… and the monk in the rose bed

Inside the chapel is more woodcarving, these panels by Ben Coode-Adams depicting he life of St Chad

The east window designed by local artist Kate Davies, created in glass by another local artist Ian Hartless and depicts the chapel on the left and the ‘Grand Aqueduct’ which we travelled over yesterday. The aqueduct was built over the River Goyt between 1794 and 1800 is 309 feet long and carries the canal 100 feet above the river.

I loved the windows to the rear of the chapel - it is new glass but is riven and is a piece of artwork in its own right.

The font is 18th century and the surrounding metalwork was designed and made by Ben Coode-Adams incorporates both pagan and Christian themes including the Tree of Life the leaves of which symbolise the ‘healing of nations'

Sculpture in the walled garden

A woodcutters paradise!

A beech nut

That fantastic woodpecker

A fox

A mouse

and another one!

Looking back at Chadkirk Chapel - a great place to visit.

It was warm today, the birds were singing as we sat in the garden, it was so tranquil. There is no charge to view the chapel and inside there is a small cafe providing hot and cold drinks and ice cream to visitors - well worth a visit.